US Pushes for Higher Defense Spending: NATO Allies Feel the Pressure

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for a significant boost in American military spending this week, advocating for defense budgets to remain above 3% of GDP—a move that could reshape global security dynamics. Speaking in Stuttgart, Germany, Hegseth criticized the Biden administration’s \"underinvestment\" in defense and urged NATO allies to increase their military spending to 5% of GDP, more than double the alliance’s current target.

The Price of Security

Hegseth argued that Europe should lead its own defense investments, stating, \"The European continent deserves to be free from any aggression, but it ought to be those in the neighborhood investing the most.\" His remarks come amid ongoing debates about NATO’s funding strategy and U.S. commitments to global security.

European Pushback

However, European leaders like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed the 5% target as unrealistic. For Germany, the proposed increase would require over €200 billion annually—nearly half its federal budget. Scholz emphasized Germany’s dedication to NATO but called Trump-era demands \"too high,\" reflecting broader skepticism across the continent.

Ukraine and Future Deployments

Hegseth reiterated former President Donald Trump’s pledge to broker a \"rapid peace deal in Ukraine\" but clarified that the U.S. has no plans to deploy troops there. Meanwhile, the recently approved $895 billion U.S. defense budget for 2025 marks a 1% increase from 2024, despite global calls for fiscal restraint.

Data from the World Bank shows the U.S. allocated 3.4% of its GDP to defense in 2023, underscoring the Pentagon’s push for sustained investment amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Reference(s):

U.S. to ramp up defense spending, says Pentagon chief

cgtn.com